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Nov 26, 2018

Many scientists denounce researcher claiming 1st gene-edited babies born in China

Posted by in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, cyborgs, ethics, genetics, law

Not sure if this is real or still vaporware yet. But it IS inevitable. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”. And we’re most likely not going to be able to regulate it much, either. If an embryo or fetus is not a human, then parents have the right to do anything they want to it. You might think that this is going to result in eugenics, like erasing melanin genes and starting a race against the fictitious “white genocide”. You’re right. But if you think that’s as bad as it’ll get, think more creatively. What happens when poor parents get paid to implant “willing servility” genes into their unborn children, in order to pay bills. The future is now. Cyborgs will not destroy humanity, but humanity itself might. What kinds of rights can be written into law to prevent this kind of extortion, that won’t also grant fetal personhood and end up derailing abortion rights? It’s going to be a bumpy ride, folks, buckle up!


A Chinese researcher claims he helped make the world’s first genetically edited babies — twin girls born this month, and with DNA he says he altered with a powerful new tool capable of rewriting the very blueprint of life.

If true, it would be a profound leap of science and ethics.

Continue reading “Many scientists denounce researcher claiming 1st gene-edited babies born in China” »

Nov 26, 2018

Breakthrough as molecules shown to ‘air-kiss’ when brain neurons attract each other

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

All brain cells ‘air-kiss’ before they come together to form a final synaptic relationship, new research by University of Kent scientists has revealed.

The breakthrough study reveals that molecular signaling within the brain operates in a very different way to previously thought, with cells now found to use the same pair of molecules for both distant and close contacts.

The research, by a team led by Professor Yuri Ushkaryov of the University’s Medway School of Pharmacy, may lead to a much better understanding of how neurons send messages to distant parts of the brain or other organs in the body, such as muscle cells.

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Nov 26, 2018

Thymus Shrinkage Contributes to Atherosclerosis

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Today, we want to highlight a study that shows the link between atherosclerosis and the age-related shrinking of the thymus, which is arguably the most important organ of the immune system [1].

The adaptive and innate immune systems and atherosclerosis

The thymus is essentially like an army base where new T cells develop and are trained to become the soldiers of the adaptive immune system. However, as we age, the thymus shrinks, its ability to train new T cells declines, and the immune cell-producing tissue turns to fat and slowly wastes away; this process is known as thymic involution.

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Nov 26, 2018

Disruption is overrated in terms of innovation

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, employment

Innovation has real costs—monetary, psychological, intellectual and effort-based—that need to be addressed or mitigated if you want people to actually innovate.

There’s an archetype in media that destruction and upheaval brings out the best ideas and creates jobs. In literature and in society, upheaval, necessity and desperation are portrayed as the prime motivators of innovative behaviour. The problem is that outside of soap operas and medical dramas, people usually have something to lose.

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Nov 26, 2018

From Fog of War to Flames of Peace–Wildfires Surge in Post-FARC Colombia

Posted by in category: military

The end of guerrilla warfare has led to an increase in woodland conflagrations and deforestation.

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Nov 26, 2018

Environment turns molecule into a switch

Posted by in category: particle physics

It looks like a cross with four arms of equal length that have a central atom at their intersection. All atoms are arranged in one plane so that the molecule is absolutely planar – at least in the normal state.

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Nov 26, 2018

See Spectacular Lunar Mission Images in 3D (Photos)

Posted by in category: space

New book “Mission Moon: 3D” presents the history of NASA’s Apollo missions, with 3D photographs.

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Nov 26, 2018

Inside the Lab Training Genome Surgeons to Fight Disease

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

At the Gladstone Institutes, Crispr pioneer Jennifer Doudna is trying to make genome editing a routine procedure.

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Nov 26, 2018

Scientists Hunt for A Seeming Paradox: A Magnet With Only One Pole

Posted by in category: particle physics

For centuries, physicists have hunted for particles with a single north or south pole to help put together their theory of everything. They may be closer than ever.

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Nov 26, 2018

However Defined, AI is Transforming How Business Gets Done

Posted by in categories: business, robotics/AI

AI encompasses of a handful of cutting-edge techniques and methods. Over time, AI-powered solutions will likely enhance virtually all applications and business process.

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